Cardiff warmed up for the BKT United Rugby Championship with a hard-fought and entertaining encounter against Exeter Chiefs with the PREM finalists edging to a narrow win.
The Blue & Blacks made a flying start in their first appearance of the season at the Arms Park and claimed early tries through Taine Basham and Ben Thomas.
But Exeter ground their way into the encounter, helped by some pre-season rust from the hosts, and led 14-19 at the break.
In a fiercely competitive encounter, which was the perfect preparation for the season ahead, both sides traded blows with the visitors keeping their noses in front.
Dan Thomas and Daf Hughes added tries either side of an Immanuel Feyi-Waboso effort which proved the difference.
Cardiff made an impressive start against the PREM Rugby finalists, dominating both territory and possession in the opening exchanges. They set up camp in the Exeter 22 for much of the opening 10 minutes and eventually got their reward when Taine Basham powered over.
Sheedy added the extras and moments later he was back at the tee for a simple second conversion after Ben Thomas hit a short line from a dominant set-piece to slice through, Scott Sio providing the delicate pass.
Exeter soon hit back through a close-range effort from number eight Greg Fisilau, although Henry Slade hooked his conversion wide.
The visitors cut their deficit further around the mid-way mark of the half when Harvey Skinner dummied his way past some pedestrian midfield defence following a period of forward pressure. Slade converted from in front to make it 14-12.
Cardiff soon had the opportunity to respond after Scott Sio demonstrated he’s settling right into life at Cardiff with a trademark turnover penalty. Sheedy put the pack on the forward line but after securing the ball at the front and setting up for a close-range drive, the ball was lost.
The Blue & Blacks again fluffed their lines when after an impressive period of pressure, set up by a fearsome carry from Mason Grady, came to an end when Sheedy took his eye off the ball on the five-metre line.
And it was Exeter that soon took the lead when Stephen Varney got himself in a crowded passing channel, to pinch the ball and run clear. He dotted down beneath the sticks and Slade made it 14-19.
The Chiefs quickly extended their lead following the interval with another close-range try and Slade again converted to stretch his side’s lead to 14-26.
Cardiff however, remained well in the fight but they needed to score next and that is exactly what they did. After an encouraging period of pressure, they kicked to the corner and Dan Thomas was the recipient as the pack powered over.
Sheedy converted, making it 21-26, but that was his last act as seven changes were made, with three more minutes later.
With the game losing its shape, as both teams tested their depth, Cardiff product Immanuel Feyi-Waboso finished off turnover ball. Arms Park announcer Rob Toogood joking that the former Corpus Christi pupil had fulfilled a lifetime ambition of scoring at the iconic ground.
And it was the Blue & Blacks who scored next, again from a driving lineout as Daf Hughes, a late call-up, burrowed over. Lloyd Lucas converted to bring his side back to within five.
Slade had the opportunity to nudge the Chiefs further into the lead in the final quarter, surprisingly opting for a pre-season penalty but he fired wide, much to the delight of the home crowd.
The England star again pointed to the sticks five minutes later but hit the left upright and the score remained 28-33.
Cardiff Rugby: Cam Winnett; Jacob Beetham (Matty Young 50), Harri Millard (Osian Darwin-Lewis 50), Ben Thomas (Steffan Emanuel 40), Mason Grady; Callum Sheedy (Lloyd Lucas 50), Johan Mulder (Ellis Bevan 56), Taine Basham (Daf Hughes 56), Dan Thomas (Lucas de la Rua 56), Alex Mann (George Nott 50), Teddy Williams (Tom Manz 50), Josh McNally (Rory Thornton 50), Javan Sebastian (Sam Wainwright 50), Liam Belcher (capt) (Evan Lloyd 40), Scott Sio (Rhys Barratt 40).
Tries – T Basham, B Thomas, D Thomas, D Hughes; Cons – C Sheedy (3), L Lucas.